Navy officer denies ever speaking to Afghan interpreter in threatening manner

A New Zealand Navy officer has denied allegations that he threatened to kill an Afghan interpreter in 2013 during a court martial proceeding at the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland. The proceedings, which continued on May 12, 2026, center on accusations of intimidation linked to the immigration process for local staff as the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) withdrew from Afghanistan.

The complainant, who served as an interpreter at Kiwi Base in Banyam, Afghanistan, testified on May 11, 2026. He alleged that the officer threatened to have him blacklisted and killed if he attempted to contact the Minister of Defence regarding an immigration dispute.

At the time of the alleged incident in 2013, the accused officer was serving as a delegate responsible for assisting approximately 30 interpreters through the immigration process. This support was provided as the NZDF worked to dismantle its base of operations in the region.

Immigration and Residency Dispute

The conflict reportedly began when the complainant was offered permanent residency in New Zealand due to the NZDF’s withdrawal from the conflict. While the interpreter initially applied for residency as a single man, he entered into an arranged marriage shortly after the application process began and sought to bring his new wife to New Zealand.

During his evidence, the complainant stated he had received verbal acknowledgement that the addition of his wife to the residency application "should be fine."

However, a formal statement written by the accused officer in 2024, which was read to the court on May 12, 2026, presented a different account. The officer stated that the interpreter’s marriage was a surprise and that there had been no original intent to marry during the application process.

Initially [he] wasn’t married when he applied and there was no intent from him to get married during the process. To my understanding [he] came back and said he was married, however he didn’t provide any proof to myself, and he did this close to the departure time.

Statement from the accused officer, 2024

The officer further claimed that the complainant’s behavior shifted only after his wife was denied residency.

Defense and Court Proceedings

The Navy officer has pleaded not guilty to the charges. In his 2024 written statement, he explicitly denied using threatening language or making threats against the interpreter’s life.

I did not threaten him. I had frequent conversations with him; I do not recall and did not have any conversations with him in a threatening manner.

Statement from the accused officer, 2024

The court martial is examining the interactions between the delegate and the interpreters during the high-pressure period of the NZDF’s departure from Afghanistan to determine if the alleged threats occurred.